LITTLE ROCK – Building off the successes of the Little Rock program over the past few seasons, a number of former Trojans continue to excel beyond their playing days at the Jack Stephens Center. Five out of six Little Rock seniors from 2016-17 are currently playing professionally while the sixth has laid the groundwork for a successful career beyond basketball.
Maurius Hill is playing for Olimpi Tbilisi, a member of the Georgian Superliga and based in the country's capital city. A four-year contributor for the Trojans, Hill finished his career with 632 points and 427 rebounds, playing in 121 games in a Little Rock uniform. Hill's senior season proved to be his most productive, averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game with 38 steals.
Jalen Jackson headed overseas to Greece, playing for Panionios B.C. in Athens in the top-tier level of the Greek Basket League. Jackson played in 65 games with 16 starts in his two seasons at Little Rock, averaging 9.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for his Trojan career. Jackson ranked second on the team in 2016-17, averaging 10.0 points per game, adding 4.3 rebounds with 15 double digit games.
Marcus Johnson Jr. is currently playing for Al-Wakrah Sport Club in Qatar, which competes in the top tier of the Quatari Basketball League. In two seasons in Little Rock, Johnson played in 67 games with 45 starts, averaging 12.9 points and 3.1 rebounds during his career. Johnson led Little Rock in scoring in 2016-17, averaging 13.3 points per game, hitting 42.3 percent of his field goals and shooting 80.5 percent from the free throw line.
Kemy Osse has returned to his native Canada, playing for the Island Storm out of Charlettetown, Prince Edward Island in the National Basketball League of Canada. Osse was a fixture for the Trojans for four seasons, playing in 123 games with 51 starts while notching 741 points, 293 rebounds and 92 assists. Osse's 9.2 points per game in 2016-17 was a career-best, along with his 3.3 rebounds per game and 41.6 percent field goal percentage.
Lis Shoshi has also returned to his native country, suiting up for Sigal Prishtina in Prishtina, Kosovo, a member of the Balkan International Basketball League that has won 10 national championships in the past 13 years. Shoshi was a two year starter for Little Rock, playing in 62 games and averaging 7.9 points and 5.8 rebounds. Shoshi was the Trojans' top rebounder in 2016-17, averaging 6.4 per game, while tying for fourth on the team with an 8.9 points per game average.
Stetson Billings chose a path other than basketball but has made a name for himself as well, marrying Tatiya in September and beginning a career here in Little Rock. A four-year contributor for the Trojans, Billings played in 112 games, scoring 199 points and adding 176 rebounds. He averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in 2016-17 starting 17 of the 19 games he saw action in.
With the latest group of Trojans competing at the next level now in the mix, it adds to a long legacy of Little Rock players that have gone on to play professionally following their Trojan playing days. Over 30 Trojans have suited up at the professional level, including Josh Hagins, who recently was added to the training camp roster for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA G League.
The 2017-18 version of #LittleRocksTeam is getting ready to get their season underway, beginning with an exhibition contest against Southwest Baptist on Friday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. The regular season then tips off eight days later as the Trojans host Ouachita Baptist at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 11.
Season tickets, flex plans and individual game tickets are all on sale for the 2017-18 Little Rock basketball season and are available by calling the Trojan Ticket Office at 565-8257.
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